ODM Youth League Protests IEBC’s Nomination of Kipchumba to Replace Mbadi in Parliament
He warned that the youth wing is prepared to take drastic measures, including potentially quitting the party, if their concerns are not addressed.
The ODM Youth League has now issued a seven-day ultimatum to the party leadership, demanding a resolution to what they describe as an act of injustice. Photo / Kenya Digital News
By Juliet Jerotich
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth League has openly rejected the nomination of Harold Kimuge Kipchumba as a nominated Member of Parliament, set to replace Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. The youth wing is accusing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of overlooking the party’s rightful nominee for the position.
Speaking during a press briefing at Chungwa House on Monday, ODM Youth League President John Ketora strongly criticized IEBC Chair Erustus Ethekon for allegedly bypassing the party’s recommended candidate—Ketora himself. He argued that the decision undermined ODM’s internal processes and vowed to challenge Kipchumba’s appointment in court.
According to Ketora, the IEBC’s move is not only unfair but also a blatant violation of the party’s nomination procedures. He warned that the youth wing is prepared to take drastic measures, including potentially quitting the party, if their concerns are not addressed.
“We will not sit back and watch as our rights are trampled on. If leaving the party is what it takes to fight for justice, then so be it,” Ketora said during the press briefing.
The ODM Youth League has now issued a seven-day ultimatum to the party leadership, demanding a resolution to what they describe as an act of injustice. Should the matter remain unresolved, Ketora stated that they would announce new directives to their supporters as part of their next course of action.
This standoff follows a Gazette Notice released on July 22, in which IEBC Chairman Erustus Ethekon announced the reallocation of ten special parliamentary seats. These changes were made following resignations, deaths of previous nominees, and efforts to correct inconsistencies in the party lists submitted during the 2022 General Election.
The latest adjustments affected various nomination categories, including youth representation, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and gender top-up lists. Despite these changes, ODM Youth League insists that the party’s preferred nominee
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